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Emirates

Welcome to Abu Dhabi, one of 7 United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Uniteid Emirates. The names of the 7 Emirates are: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Um Al Quwain.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the 7 Emirates. It sits off the mainland on an island in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. The population is around 613,000 and in size of geography is the largest of the Emirates.

Great description

Entrance for the show room of the future city of Saadiyat, a new planed city in Abu Dhabi.

Model of the city

Futurristic Buildings - Zayed Natural Museum

Saadiyat translates to "Happiness Island"

If they build all this it may be worth returning one day

Table model

Restaurant at the Model Information center

This was the inside of the Men's restroom at the center

Another photo of the Men's restroom with a Prayer Room.

The residences built have air conditioning naturally with the towers above the homes.

New Airport under construction in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Headquarters Building

23 stories and has a 372 foot diameter at mid building. Widest point is 102 feet wide and tapers to the edges. Narrows to 75 feet at the narrowest point.

Almost looks like a Ferris Wheel

Free flowing bridge design

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Mosque sits on 30 acres exclusively of the parking areas.

The design of the Mosque "Unites the World". Materials are from many countries around the world

Front entrance to the Mosque grounds

The Mosque is the largest in the United Emirates. It was constructed from 1996 to 2007.

Inner courtyard with Minaret. The Mosque is the largest in the United Emirates.

Check out the flooring

I would hate to walk across this in the heat of summer, (125 F) or if it ever rains..

Entrance into the Grand Mosque from the large marble walk

The Chandeliers - made with millions of Swarovski Crystals. Entrance into the Grand Mosque from the large marble walk

Carpet in the main prayer hall is the largest carpet in the world. It was produced by Iran's Carpet Company.

Mosque accommodates over 10,000 worshipers. The main hall accommodates 7,000 worshipers. Two smaller prayer Halls each at accommodate1,500 each one of which is the Female Prayer Hall

Note the walls

Main Chandelier

Beautiful Stain Glass windows

Ceiling Chandeliers in smaller rooms

Inside the Main Prayer room

Floors and walls of Marble designs and inlays

Another side of the Mosque

Walkway

Ladies who had been praying in their separate prayer room

Modern Skyscraper one of many new buildings

Emirates Palace Hotel

Ship we cruised along the Cornish to see the city Skyline

Inside the boat

Incredible growth

Abu Dhabi skyline

Just a few years ago this was all desert

After leaving Abu Dhabi our next stop was Al Ain Mountain top Hotel

Lighted Traffic Circles in the Emirates

Hotel Mecure - Located high up in the jagged Hajar Mountains on the Omani border

Gorgeous Hotel located at the top of a mountain overlooking the cities below

Lobby area

Atrium looking down into the lobby area

More vistas from the areas above

Night time view of the pool area

Daylight in the lobby atriam

Former ride at the hotel not working... thank goodness. Makes you wonder what stopped it from working.. fell into the abyss below??

Pool area

City below

Entrance to the outdoor bar area with local music in the evening

By looking down you see almost every home is built the same

Hotel pool area and city below

Hilltop private home

Another view of the home

Another view of the home

Interesting sign because it is an animal auction

Entering the Camel and Goat Market

Negotiating

Local worker

Faces of the workers

What auction?

Jim learning how to buy and sell camels

What do you mean that is all I am worth?

If I hide long enough maybe they won't see me!

Imagine convincing a strong animal like a camel it needs to get into a truck bed.

Trying to place the Camel in the truck after the auction sale

This is one camel that does not want to get into the back of the truck

The camel is finally in and down

Goats for sale

Young goat being placed in the trunk of a car to go home for dinner most likely

Goat is finally in the trunk to go home with the new owners

Camel auction

Taking a few minute break out of a busy day

The faces tell a lot about the hard working men

Finding a little shade in the heat of the day

Busy camel market

Two camels are secured into the back of the pickup truck

A tent to rest in between the auction and sales of goats and camels

The Ail Ain Museum Al -Ain means Garden City. Al - Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. The city has the country's highest number of Emirate nationals. Over 4,000 years old with early settlements being discovered

Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan first President of the United Arab Emirates. Photos of his 19 Sons and 16 Grand Sons. Notice no photos of daughters.

Inside the museum

Moon rock a gift from the United States Space Program

Circumcision Instruments. Ouch!

Entrance to Al- Ain Oasis

Oasis in the middle of the desert

Benches made from Palm Trees

More of the Oasis

Buildings in Al -Ain prior to mid day prayer

Men waiting for Mid day prayer to begin

Directional Highway signs

Dubai has less than 20 years of Oil left so they are building a booming tourism business

Grand entrance into Dubai under construction. Largest arch in the world for highways

Map of the Emirates

These are the locations of the 7 Emirates. bu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um Al Quwain, Ras Al Kaimah, and Fujairah. The Sheikh of Abu Dhabi is the current leader over all other Sheiks in the Emirates

Restaurant outside of Ski Dubai

Ticket office for Ski Dubai

Inside the Ski Dubai

Prices in local currency

Business was not exactly booming the morning we visited the ski area

Lockers

Only paid admission is allowed into Ski Dubai snow areas

Photos of skiing

You thought shopping was expensive where you live.. forget here

Young mother going skiing

Small area to actually shoot inside the ski area

Inside it is minus 4. Outside was 112F

Actual slopes

Lobby just outside the Ski Area

Traffic in Dubai - to think this was a desert 20 years ago

Inside the Dubai Mall

Latest local fashions for Dubai

Candy store

Burj Khalifa - at the top of the tower at the observation deck

Model of the tallest building in the world

Construction photo of the Burj Khalifa

Elevator to the top It takes just a little over a minute to summit to the 124th floor Observation level

World Record Facts for the Burj Khalifa building. Tallest Building in the world. Tallest Free Standing Structure. Highest number of Stories. Highest Occupied Floor. Highest Outdoor Observations Level. Elevator with the Longest Travel Distance. Tallest Service Elevator. All the above in The World.

Highest outdoor observation deck in the world

In the distance new islands dredged from the ocean for future building

Notice shadow of the building

Close up of the hotel in the previous photo at distance

This is one of my "Bucket Moments" in life when you pinch yourself to make sure it is real.

Building center left on the fountain area at water level we ate lunch. Photos to follow at water level

Observation Deck 124th floor

Just a few of those responsible for the building of the Burj Khalifa

Dubai Shopping Mall

Aquarium in the Dubai Shopping Mall

This has to be one of the largest Aquariums in the world

View at the Passenger Entrance to the Dubai Mall

Souk Al Bahr

Incredible building in any direction

Restaurant we could see from the top Observation tower

Every hour the water fountains put on a performance extraordinaire

View of dancing waters from the Patio where we ate lunch

Patio we ate lunch watching the dancing fountains hourly

She shops, he pays and holds the goods. Same around the world

Shadows cast from the Burj Khalifa on a neighboring building

Great design in buildings

Bently with a distinct license plate. Probably a Sheikh

Burj Al Arab Hotel on Jumeirah Beach

Next door on Jumeirah Beach is Pedros Mexican Truck

Dubai Skyline and highway through town

Atlantis Hotel Dubai - 1539 Hotel rooms set on Palm Jumeirah Island built on reclaimed sand from the ocean floor. Hotel has its own underwater aquarium.

Dubai Marina

Without a doubt this has to be some of the most expensive real estate in the world

Twisted Tower Cayan Tower

One of many Metro stations in Dubai to get around the city center

Workers hard at work in the heat

Crossing the "Creek" in small boats called Abra. Water Taxis

Money is kept in sight of all

Restaurant we had dinner the night before. The lights kept going out all night.

Dock area to find the Abra's to cross the Creek to the Souk Deira and Gold Markets

An Abra

Crossing on an Abra was great to see the Old and New Modern buildings of Dubai

Quick crossing on an Abra

Souk Deira and the Gold Markets

Candy, Spices and dry goods are found a plenty

The Souks, local markets, are fun to walk through where you can find almost anything

World's heaviest Gold Ring

Gold, Gold, Gold

Away from tourists this is the old Dubai

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah - voted The Most Luxurious Hotel in the World. 202 Suites, 9 Restaurants and Bars, Smallest Suite is 1,820 sq. ft. starting at $1,983 nightly. The largest Suite, The Royal Suite is 8,400 sq. ft. is listed at $24,000 nightly

Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 920 feet from Jumeirah beach. It is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. Structure is designed to mimic the Sail of a Ship.

Voted the Worlds Most Luxurious Hotel with chauffeur driving Rolls-Royce. Interesting note in 2010 and 2011 25% of the hotels clients were from China

One of several Lobby areas

Entrance to one of the restaurants

Looking up in the lobby area

Lobby area for shopping, restaurants and Elevators to Al Muntaha and SkyView Bar and Sky View Lounge

Looking across the lobby area

Could set you back Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars

Second floor lobby and waiting area

Culinary Flight Restaurant

Lobby Entrance to the culinary Flight Restaurant

Lobby Shopping areas

Elevators to Sky View Lounge and Al Muntaha Restaurant 27th floor

View looking to Dubai City

"View of Jumierah Beach Hotel located near Burj Al Arab"

Tall building in distance is Burj Khalifa - tallest building in the world

Inside Sky View Lounge 27th floor

Sky View Bar lounge area

Servers hard at work

Skyline view Dubai at night

Carol Anne and Laura - members of our traveling group enjoying dinner and drinks at Sky View

Bill traveling on the OAT trip and Jim dining at the Sky View Lounge. Note you must have a reservation ahead of arrival at the hotel Gate at the bridge. You must have confirmation number and date with you. Per person 1 drink, 2 beers and an order of Sliders.. 3 small burgers $175.00 per person. Each dining room and lounge have minimum you must spend or they will still charge you. View Incredible!!! Dining room dinners average per person over $250 per person

View of city from the Sky View Lounge

You are looking at $175.00. One drink, 2 beers and Sliders.

Our waiter from the country of Swaziland

Bill, Carol Ann, Laura and Jim enjoying the evening above Dubai City lights

27th floor reception for the Sky View Bar and the Muntaha Restaurant

Having fun taking photos of the gold themed elevator and mirrors

Taking photos of ourselves in the mirrors of the elevator as it is descending

Men's Restroom

Men's Restroom

Main Lobby of the hotel

Main Entrance to the private bridge

One last look at the ambiance of the Burj Al Arab Hotel lobby

Ground level looking at the Jumierah Beach Hotel

Hotel Staff waiting to obtain your vehicle for you

Unfortunately these were not our cars waiting for us.

Early morning sun dancing off of the Burj Khalifa blocks away from our hotel

Dubai Museum

Ornate door knocker on the front door of the Museum

Display outside in the outside area of the Museum

Inside the Museum are still life displays of early life in Dubai

The only Santa seen in the Middle East

From Dubai we drive north through the 3rd largest of the Emirates Sharjah.

Called the Blue Souq or Central Souq. Over 600 shops inside the Building. The blue color of the vaulted Roof is the defining characteristic and namesake of the building.

I left my yacht here for a few days.. In my dreams!!!

The end of the Blue souq is also used on the local currency.

The end of the Blue souq, the building, is also used on the local currency

Souq - Al Arsa

Inside Souq - Al Arsa we visited in Sharjah

This photo over the door of a photographer's studio says it all. What happened to the Brides photo? Only the men?

If you cannot find it anywhere else.. try here!

Prayer Beads

Puffer Fish anyone?

Even in the Emirates no one talks to each other. What happened to basic communication?

Sharajaj Museum

Inside the Museum

Photo display of the Hajj in Mecca

1.8 to 2 million Muslims a year across the world will visit Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Ceiling in the Museum

Each side of the long hall has doors that open to numerous displays.

Lobby of the Museum

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© 2025 Jim Schroder